System of alternating current distribution and switching mechanism therefor



May 23, 1933. A H SANBORN 1,910,969

SYSTEM OF ALTERNATING CURRENT DISTRIBUTION AND SWITCHING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed Dec. 23, 1929 Ill/ ga e Patented May 23, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR H. SANBORN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO YAXLEY MANUFACTUR- ING- COMP ANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORIORATION OF ILLINOIS SYSTEM OF ALTERNATING CURRENT DISTRIBUTION AND SWITCHING MECHANISM THEREFOR Application filed December 28, 1929. Serial No. 416,084.

' My invention relates to a system of alternating currentdistribution and to switching mechanism which has an important use in such a system but to which use it is not to be limited. The system of my invention is inclusive of a source of alternating current,

a current transformer whose primary is serially related to said current source, a switch having two contacts connected in parallel with each other to one terminal of the transformer secondary and two other contacts also connected in parallel with each other to the other terminal of the transformer secondaryand respectively adapted for electricalcontact with the first contacts, and a translatingdevice having terminals respectively adapted to break the electrical connection between each two complemental contacts, one of these translating device terminals being adapted to have electrical contact with one of the contacts connected with one secondary terminal and the other with one of the contacts connected with the other secondary terminal. The translating device terminals are preferably in the form of individual independently movable plugs receivs,

able between each two normally engaged contacts and in spreading relation thereto to break the normal electrical connection therebetween. By means of the system of my invention a translating device may readily be looped into the secondary circuit of,

a current transformer without danger of bodily injury, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The switch of my invention one wherein the parts are simply formed and simply assembled. The switch is provided with a casing within which a switch member is enclosed, one of these elements having a concave seat within the casing and the other having a bulging portion received in said seat and cooperating therewith to position the switch member. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the switch includes two contact members having opposite bulging portions that are respectively received within opposed concave seats that are carried by the casing. The switch member and one seat have cooperating formations to prevent turning movement of the switch member in one direction and said switch member and the other seat have cooperating formations to prevent turning movement of the switch member in the same direction. Both of the contact elements of the switching mechanism are desirably in the form of metallic ribbons or strips which are sandwiched between the concave seats and a body of insulation which permits engagement between the ends of the contact elements and which cooperates with the inserted plugs to enable a translating device to be looped into circuit. These contact elements are provided with tag ends that extend through slots formed in a cover or closure to the casing, whereby the switch may be connected in circuit upon the exterior of the casing. The cover serves to prevent sidewise displacement of the metallic contact elements and thus serves as a means for maintaining assembly of the parts. The body of insulation between the contact elements is preferably integrally formed with the casing body and thus serves as a positioner forthe contact elements and holds the contacting ends thereof in alignment with apertures in the casing through which the terminal plugs may be passed into engagement with the contact elements.

I willv explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 with the cover or closure removed; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a system of alternating current distribution having the switch of my invention in association therewith; and Fig. 8 is a view employing part of the illustration that appears in Fig. 7 but with the connecting plugs removed. y

The system of alternating current distribution illustrated includes a source of a1- ternating current 1 which supplies current sides of said positioner.

to the mains 2 and 3. The. primary 4 of a current transformer is included in serial relation with the generator 1 by being included in one of the sides. the side 3 as illustrated. The secondary 5 of the current transformer may supply current to any desired translating device which is shown in the form of an ammeter or instrument 6 in Fig. 7. The invention. however. is not to be limited to any particular form of trans lating device which is to be supplied with current from the secondary of the trans-' former.

A switch is employed which enables the inclusion of the translating device in the circuit of the transformer secondary. This switch contains two contacts 7 and 8 which are connected in parallel with each other and to the left hand terminal of the transformer secondary 5. The switch also contains two other contacts 9 and 10 which are connected in parallel with each other and to the right hand secondary terminal. The contacts 7 and 8 are desirably the end portions of a strip or ribbon of metal 11 and the contacts 9 and 10 are also desirably the end portions of another strip or ribbon of metal 12. The contacts 8 and 10 are bent angularly to the strips on which they are provided. so as to be respectively readily engageable with the contacts 9 and 7 opposed thereto. A stationary contact positioner 13 interposed between the two contact elements. but so proportioned that it per mits the engagement of the complemental contacts 7 and 10 and 8 and 9 when there is no translating device in the circuit of the transformer secondary. Vhcn there is .no translating device in the secondary circuit, such circuit has two places, in parallel, where it is closed. This arrangement per mits the employment of terminals for the translating device in the form of individual independently l'llOVZlblG plugs 14 and 15. Either of these plugs may be inserted between the contact 7 and the positioner 13 to separate this contact from the contact 10 and without interruping thev secondary circuit which then is closed at the contacts 8 and 9. The other terminal plug): may thereafter be inserted between the positioner 13 and the contact 9 to complete the inclusion of the device in the secondary circuit and to separate these latter two contacts. The secondary circuit need never be opened. with the switching arrangement of my invention, whereby hazard acconn ianying the inclusion of the translating device in the secondary circuit is eliminated.

The positioner 13 is preferably integrally formed with the insulating body 16 of the switch casing. The spring strips 11 and 12 are placed opposite each other on opposite The positioner is arcuately bulged at its mid-portion. The

wall. -The bulging portions of the strip springs are respectively received in these seats and the seats serve to maintain the spring strips firmly upon the positioner, thereby preventing turning movement of the strips. The positioner is provided with semicylindrical grooves for receiving the engagin ends of the conducting plugs 14 and 15. he positioner cooperates with said plugs to enable the plugs to lift the contacts 7 and 9 from their complement-a1 contacts 10 and 8. The strip springs 12 and 13 are desirably flared as indicated at 18, to guide the connecting plugs between the same and the positioner. The strip springs 11 and 12 are desirably merely slipped into place between the concave seats and the positioner. Sidcwise displacement of the strip metal springs are prevented by means of the closure 19 which is seated upon a ledge formed in the body portion 16 of the casing, as illustrated in Fig. 3. An assembling screw 20 passes through said closure and into the positioner whereby the closure is maintained in position and in holding relation to said strip springs. An interiorly threaded metallic sleeve 21 may be provided in the positioner to receive said screw and also to receive another screw 22 by which the switch casing may be supported upon a suitable mounting plate or body 23. The closure 19 is formed with apertures through which the tag ends 24 of the strip springs may be passed.

The part 13 constitutes a mounting for the two contactsprings which are in lapping relation to the mounting, so that a contacting plug inserted between the mounting and either spring will contact with said spring and separate it from the complement-al contact that is normally cnga ed thereby. A structure thus arranged is broadly claimed herein.

Changes may be made without departing from the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with an insulating casing; of a switch member within the easing and an insulating positioner for the switch member, one of these elements having a concave seat within the casing and the other having a. bulging portion received in said seat and cooperating therewith to position the switch member.

2. The combination with an insulating casing; of a switch member within the casin and an insulating positioner for the switch member, one of these elements having opposed concave seats within the casing and the other having opposite bulging portions received in said seats and cooperating therewith to position the switch member.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein the switch member and the seat have cooperating formations to prevent turning movement of the switch member in one direction.

4. The combination with a casing; of a switch member within the casing, a wall of the casing having opposed concave seats within the casing and the switch member having opposite bulging portions received in i said seats and cooperating therewith to position the switch member.

5. In a switch structure, the combination with a switch casing; of a contact positioner within the switch casing and integral with the casing; and a contact strip held in place between and by the positioner and a wall of the casing.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein the part of the casing wall which engages the contact strip is in the form of a concave seat, the part of the contact strip received in the seat being bulged to correspond with the seat cavity.

7. The structure of claim 5 wherein the part of the casing wall which engages the contact strip is in the form of a concave seat, the part of the contact strip received in the seat being bulged to correspond with the seat cavity, and wherein the contact positioner is bulged similarly to the bulging of the contact strip which receives the bulge upon the positioner.

8. The structure of claim 5 wherein a closure is provided for the casing which J holds the contact strip in place.

9. The structure of claim 5 wherein a closure is provided for the casing which holds the contact strip in place and wherein the part of the casing wall which engages the contact strip is in the form of a concave seat, the part of the contact strip received in the seat being bulged to correspond with the seat cavity.

10. In a switch structure, the combination with a switch casing; of a contact positioner within the switch casing; and a contact strip held in place between and by the positioner and a wall of the casing wherein a closure is provided for the casing which holds the contact strip in place, and

wherein the contact strip is provided with a tag continuation which passes through an opening formed in the closure.

11. In a switch structure, the combination with a switch casing; of a contact positioner within the switch casing; and a contact strip held in place between and by the positioner and a wall of the casing wherein a closure is provided for the casing which holds the contact strip in place,

wherein the part of the casing wall which engages the contact strip is in the form of a concave seat, the part of the contact strip received in the seat being bulged to correspond with the seat cavity, wherein a closure is provided for the casing which holds the contact strip in place, and wherein the contact strip is provided with a tag continuation which passes through an opening formed in the closure.

12. In a switch structure, the combination with a switch casing; of a contact positioner within the switch casing; and a contact strip held in place between and by the positioner and a wall of the casing wherein a closure is provided for the casing which holds the contact strip in place, wherein the contact positioner is bulged similarly to the bulging of the contact strip which receives the bulge upon the positioner, andwherein the contact strip is provided with a tag continuation which passes through an opening formed in the closure.

13. In a switch structure, the combination with a switch casing; of a contact positioner within the switch casing; and a contact strip held in place between and by the positioner and a wall of the casing wherein a closure is provided for the casing which holds the contact strip in place, wherein the contact positioner is bulged similarly to a bulging formed in the contact strip which receives the bulge upon the positioner, wherein the part of the casing wall which engages the contact strip is in the form of a concave seat, the part of the contact strip received in the seat being bulged to correspond with the seat cavity, and wherein the contact strip is provided with a tag continuation which passes through an opening formed in the closure.

14. The combination withtwo contacts; of an insulating mounting for said contact, one of said contacts being in the form of a strip spring engageable with the other and lapping said mounting whereby a contact ing plug inserted between said mounting and strip spring engages this spring and separates it from the contact complemental thereto.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

ARTHUR H. SANBORN. 

